Are you bothered by that drippy bathroom faucet throughout the night? Are you being troubled by a clogged toilet? Are you not getting enough water pressure in the shower? Being a homeowner, sooner or later, you are likely to face such plumbing issues. In fact, most of you must be familiar with them.
There’s no need to hit the panic button whenever these problems occur, though. You can fix them by yourself.
Here we have rounded up some common plumbing issues as well as how to fix them before calling a plumber.
PLUGGED SINK PIPES:
This is one of the most common plumbing problems. This is due to a restriction in the passage of water due to the accumulation of food or hair or other substances. You can avoid this problem by being careful what you put down the drain. Try not to pour liquids like oil down the sink. This problem is not very complex to solve, with a pipe cleaning liquid you will have your sink working as new in no time.
However, we suggest that you do not use this solution in a row, as the chemicals in the liquid can cause damage to the spout if it is used too often.
WATER LEAK IN THE TOILET:
This is another common, extremely annoying problem that can be expensive and wasteful of water.
A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day. There are two main reasons why this problem can occur: the water inlet mechanism is damaged or the discharge is damaged. Remove the top lid of the toilet to check which one it is. If the water is above the discharge the water inlet mechanism is not working. It is not sealing well and allows more water, exceeding the safety level of the discharge. The best option, in this case, is to change the entire water inlet mechanism. Don’t forget to close the stopcock when you do it!
If the water is below the discharge, it is the discharge that is damaged. In this case, the best thing is to replace it with a new one.
LOW WATER PRESSURE:
If the water pressure has ever been reduced and we are not getting the amount and pressure of water we want from our pipes, this could be a small problem, but also something much more complex.
A common cause of low water pressure is the accumulation of deposits or sediments since the water that passes through the pipes carries dissolved materials that can adhere to metal surfaces, a home remedy for this situation, at least for the shower, is to place a plastic bag full of vinegar over it overnight and see if that removes the build-up of so-called saltpeter.
If the water pressure is still low after trying this it could be a more complex problem, such as a plumbing leak. If this is the case, the foundation of our home could be damaged and the water bill could increase drastically so it’s time to call in a professional.
LEAKY FAUCETS:
Having an annoying tap that leaks water is something that has happened to all of us. This problem results in an economic cost to us and also an unnecessary waste of water. There are several reasons why this happens.
Generally, it is due to faucet parts that are worn or corroded. Parts like the valve that connects the faucet to the spout’s compressor mechanism can collect water sediment that can wear it down and cause dripping. The best solution, in this case, is to change the part. It is not very expensive or very difficult to do. A more complex cause may be a broken pipe.
PLUGGED SHOWER PIPES:
Similar to the pipes in the sinks, these can also be clogged in the shower by the accumulation of hair and soap. Using bicarbonate of vinegar is a good alternative to unclog the shower spout. If it’s too clogged, a good solution is to use the drain opener to remove whatever is causing the water flow restriction. Add a little Vaseline to the edge of the drain opener, this will help it stick more. Fill the showerhead with enough water to cover the head of the drain opener and push hard repeatedly.
STAINS ON A SINK FAUCET:
If you have noticed the presence of white stains on the chrome of your sink faucets, they are nothing more than minerals contained in the water and that, with the passage of time and lack of cleaning, accumulate until creating that white layer.
The ideal is to clean the faucets daily with clean water and a flannel, if the cleaning is not daily, the stains will be more difficult to remove.
The solution is to use water and vinegar, yes, you read that right, with water and vinegar.
Make a 50% mixture of water and vinegar, wet the flannel with this solution, and gently rub the surface so that the stains that are not so sticky should come off. If it is about watering cans or chrome parts that you see that you can disassemble, put them in this mixture of water and vinegar and leave it there for about 1 hour.
Take the piece out of the solution and rinse it well with water, pat it dry with a flannel, and voila! You will see how the pieces will shine like the day you installed them.
So these are some common plumbing issues you can fix by yourself. But keep one thing in mind—if you lack basic skills to deal with pipes or the issues are beyond your expertise, make sure to give a professional plumber a call.
If you are looking for the same, look no further than efficient plumbing services by NYHandymanNYC.com
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